Top 4 Causes of Water Damage in Your Home

1. Top 4 Causes of Water Damage in Your Home The term “water damage” simply refers to water being where it shouldn’t be inside your home. Water damage can happen anywhere in a home – the basement, bathroom, bedroom, laundry room, living room, you name it – nowhere is simply exempt from having this problem someday. The good news is, if you have water damage in your home, you are not alone! Unfortunately, it is a very common problem for people to face during the course of homeownership. Bringing in a professional restoration company, like Hudson Valley DKI, is key to making sure that the source of the problem fixed and the water damage itself properly repaired without the chance of future mold growth or other problems. When the job is done, it should look like nothing ever happened in your Middletown home. So let’s talk about some of the main sources of water damage we see in homes. Burst or Leaky Pipes I once heard a story of a family who came home after running some errands to discover their cat had made itself cozy under a main floor bathroom sink, dislodging a major pipe under the sink, and somehow causing their entire basement and part of the main floor to flood. What a mess! But it is likely there was more at work than just the cat. Pipes that burst or leak often have clogs somewhere in the system and become overwhelmed due to pressure from the backup, and give way. This could be a garbage disposal or toilet, or even roots growing into the drain lines in your yard. Rusty pipes can also be a problem. Appliance Malfunctions There are a lot of household appliances that can malfunction and lead to water damage. For example, a rusted out hot water heater can flood a pretty large area with water very quickly. Older appliances are the most usual culprits, so it is a good idea to keep an eye on washing machines, dishwashers, and other aging appliances to be sure hoses and pipe connections are still in good shape and the appliance is running properly. Simple Accidents Life is busy, and accidents happen! We have seen major water damage done to homes where a single faucet in a bathtub was left to run for hours, and that water overflowed from the master bedroom on the top floor down through the main floor, and into the basement. Through the walls, floor, and all. Sometimes, adults simply forget to turn things off when they’re in a hurry. Other times, children might turn on a faucet to watch it run, then forget to turn it off as they head off to their next activity. Acts of Mother Nature More than any of these other causes, this is one that you simply cannot control. A thunderstorm could send a tree down on your house, letting in a gusher of rain water. Or, the remnants of a tropical storm could cause localized flash flooding.

2. Bottom Line: Act Quickly The bottom line is that if you have water damage in your home, you shouldn’t wait to call in professional help. The longer you let the water sit, the more the damage will spread. Professional restoration companies, like Hudson Valley DKI, have powerful extractors to get the water out quickly, and the drying process can begin right away.